05/13/2013

Social Media: Does it Detract or Enhance Real Life Relationships?

Each time I post something that makes me pause (or cringe, truthfully) I get a great response from my circle of friends and followers.

No, they don't always leave comments, but they sure do let me know how they feel. They call, they tweet, they make comments days or weeks later.

I find that the more I share honestly -- without deliberately trying to be provacative or over the line -- the more I connect deeper with people who mean a lot to me.

It's like there is a little window on the side of my head.

When I pull back the curtains and allow a peek inside, then close them back again, it seems to turn on lights in other people's heads. (Does that even make any sense at all?)

We all have things that float around up there. No matter who we are, how loving, how kind, how forgiving -- we are all judgemental. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, taking the time to form an opinion means that you care. Apathy is when you just ignore it and move on. When you take the time to judge (not just "pass judgement" but really THINK,) then you are actually participating.

By sharing our views with others we allow people into our own unique thought process. That in turn, frees them to share what they think, and a dialogue is opened. I have changed my opinion on many things because I've expressed my point of view -- and have taken the time to read others thoughful responses. I feel compelled to respond, too. Not always directly, but through my interactions with them not just online. We don't always agree. Heck, most of the time we are not in complete agreement, however, there is a true respect for the other person's view point.

I think that Social Media -- whether that's blogging, tweeting, posting on Facebook -- anything that is more than a "like" -- allows us to become closer even when we aren't together. These tools are amazing because they let us share what is important to us, let us celebrate the silly, and let us contemplate the serious.

My social circle includes a few girlfriends going through tough divorces, people with serious health issues, romance challenges, work challenges, as well as those on a quest to do more, do better. How fortunate we are to be able to give each other glimpses behind the curtain.

Do you like to comment on blogs? Posts? Do you feel like you know someone better when you read what they write?

Comments

Each time I post something that makes me pause (or cringe, truthfully) I get a great response from my circle of friends and followers.

No, they don't always leave comments, but they sure do let me know how they feel. They call, they tweet, they make comments days or weeks later.

I find that the more I share honestly -- without deliberately trying to be provacative or over the line -- the more I connect deeper with people who mean a lot to me.

It's like there is a little window on the side of my head.

When I pull back the curtains and allow a peek inside, then close them back again, it seems to turn on lights in other people's heads. (Does that even make any sense at all?)

We all have things that float around up there. No matter who we are, how loving, how kind, how forgiving -- we are all judgemental. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, taking the time to form an opinion means that you care. Apathy is when you just ignore it and move on. When you take the time to judge (not just "pass judgement" but really THINK,) then you are actually participating.

By sharing our views with others we allow people into our own unique thought process. That in turn, frees them to share what they think, and a dialogue is opened. I have changed my opinion on many things because I've expressed my point of view -- and have taken the time to read others thoughful responses. I feel compelled to respond, too. Not always directly, but through my interactions with them not just online. We don't always agree. Heck, most of the time we are not in complete agreement, however, there is a true respect for the other person's view point.

I think that Social Media -- whether that's blogging, tweeting, posting on Facebook -- anything that is more than a "like" -- allows us to become closer even when we aren't together. These tools are amazing because they let us share what is important to us, let us celebrate the silly, and let us contemplate the serious.

My social circle includes a few girlfriends going through tough divorces, people with serious health issues, romance challenges, work challenges, as well as those on a quest to do more, do better. How fortunate we are to be able to give each other glimpses behind the curtain.

Do you like to comment on blogs? Posts? Do you feel like you know someone better when you read what they write?